The referendum row and the Conservative conference

I read in three different newspapers that I am going to Manchester in order to "pile the pressure on David Cameron" over a referendum.

For the record, I don't feel the Irish result has changed anything. I have always believed that Britain needs a referendum on European integration: no one under the age of 52 has had one, and there have been massive changes in our relationship with Brussels since 1975, none of which have received popular endorsement. I remain cautiously optimistic about getting a plebiscite under the next Conservative Government.

David Cameron says he will hold a referendum on Lisbon within days of taking office. He has already drawn up the legislation and plans to name the date during the general election campaign. True, we could find ourselves in a different situation if the Polish and Czech presidents ratify before the British election. But we haven't reached that point, and, for now, I'm more concerned with not reaching it than with what we might hypothetically do if we do.

In the mean time, if you're going to Manchester and want to see me, I'm speaking at the following fringe meetings: